Detroit School BoardNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Stories from Michigan Radio.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Detroit School BoardTue, 27 Jun 2017 08:42:13 +0000Detroit School Boardhttp://michiganradio.org
April Van BurenFriday marks the last day of the Education Achievement Authority , Michigan's controversial state-run turnaround district. The EAA's 15 schools will stay open, but they'll be absorbed back into the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Sonya Mays, treasurer for the DPSCD school board, says the district is working with the EAA to make it a smooth transition for students.After six years, Education Achievement Authority leaves behind lackluster legacy http://michiganradio.org/post/after-six-years-education-achievement-authority-leaves-behind-lackluster-legacy
31822 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 26 Jun 2017 14:10:38 +0000After six years, Education Achievement Authority leaves behind lackluster legacy The Associated PressA special board meeting has been scheduled to give updates in the Detroit Public Schools Community District's search for a new superintendent. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at district offices in the Fisher Building. Interviews have been held with superintendent candidates Nikolai Vitti of Florida's Duval County schools and River Rouge Superintendent Derrick Coleman. The 46,000-student Detroit district is being run by interim superintendent Alycia Meriweather. The district has been under state oversight for the last eight years.Superintendent search update to come at school board meetinghttp://michiganradio.org/post/superintendent-search-update-come-school-board-meeting
30740 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 10 Apr 2017 13:43:13 +0000Superintendent search update to come at school board meetingSarah CwiekDetroit’s school board interviewed the district’s second and final superintendent candidate Monday evening. Derrick Coleman is the current superintendent of River Rouge Community Schools. He’s a Detroit Public Schools alumnus, and started his career as a teacher and administrator in the district. He touted his success in a district that’s much smaller than Detroit’s, but has similar demographics. He admits that at a glance, the districts have similarly poor “achievement profiles,” too. For example, in River Rouge, only 1.7% of students are considered “proficient” in all subjects on the state M-STEP test; in Detroit, that number is 4.1%. But Coleman says that’s partly because River Rouge attracted hundreds of new students from nearby districts, including Detroit, in the past several years. “But I can show you data that for one year of instruction, there’s been 1.6 years of growth, as a result of them being with us for a year or more,” Coleman said. He claimed a vast improvement in theDetroit school board a step closer to final superintendent pickhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-school-board-step-closer-final-superintendent-pick
30674 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 04 Apr 2017 02:32:37 +0000Detroit school board a step closer to final superintendent pickSarah CwiekFinalists vying for the job of Detroit schools’ superintendent will start the public interview process this week, but some people think the best candidate isn’t in the running. Choosing a new superintendent is the first major task for Detroit’s newly-elected school board, which just took power in January after years of state control. But the process has already become messy and controversial. The school board hired an outside firm to do a nationwide superintendent search, then met in private to conduct video interviews and narrow it down to three final candidates. The three did not include the district’s current interim superintendent, Alycia Meriweather, a career teacher and administrator in the Detroit Public Schools. She was appointed by the district’s final emergency manager, Steven Rhodes, and continued on an interim basis when it returned to mostly local control in January. The board’s decision to bypass Meriweather sparked a backlash from many teachers, administrators andDetroit schools superintendent search enters final phase, but not without controversyhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-schools-superintendent-search-enters-final-phase-not-without-controversy
30551 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 27 Mar 2017 11:59:30 +0000Detroit schools superintendent search enters final phase, but not without controversyStateside StaffDetroit has itself a new school board chosen from a field of 63 candidates. Bridge Magazine reporter Chastity Pratt Dawsey joined Stateside to talk about the seven winners and what’s ahead for them.Detroit public school board gets a resethttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-public-school-board-gets-reset
28754 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 09 Nov 2016 22:02:20 +0000Detroit public school board gets a resetSarah CwiekA recent legislative overhaul to Detroit Public Schools is being challenged in court. Governor Snyder signed bills that split the old school district in two last month, avoiding a potential bankruptcy. But members of Detroit’s elected school board say there are a number of problems with those bills. Thomas Bleakley, the board’s attorney, says one problem is the laws are written so that they only apply to Detroit — and the state constitution is clear about the process for passing “local acts.” “They had to obtain two-thirds majority of both houses, both the Senate and the House, and they to obtain the approval of the voters of the city of Detroit,” Bleakley said. “They did none of those things.” Another legal question the board names is a provision that allows uncertified teachers to teach in Detroit — but nowhere else. Bleakley says this violates the state and federal constitutions. “You cannot treat a class of citizens disparately and differently than another class, unless you have aDPS overhaul scheme faces legal challengehttp://michiganradio.org/post/dps-overhaul-scheme-faces-legal-challenge
27030 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 06 Jul 2016 22:14:47 +0000DPS overhaul scheme faces legal challengeSarah CwiekThe Detroit Public Schools’ board of education met for the final time ever on Thursday. The board has very little to do now as part of the "old,” debt-ridden DPS. It will be replaced by a “new” district, run by a “transition manager”—currently the district’s last emergency manager, Judge Steven Rhodes. Gov. Snyder just signed bills setting up this bankruptcy-style restructuring just last week. Board members are going out fighting, though. One of their final acts was to spearhead a lawsuit, which seeks an injunction against the legislation that changed the structure of DPS. Board president Lamar Lemmons says the state’s solution to the old district’s impending bankruptcy amounted to “confiscation through legislation.” “The normal process to acquire the property of an entity would be the judicial process, where there would be due process as well as discovery to determine the penalty, or the action of court,” he said. “What they’ve done is imposed the penalty of bankruptcy, without dueDPS board meets for the last time, as "old" school district is eliminated http://michiganradio.org/post/dps-board-meets-last-time-old-school-district-eliminated
26977 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 01 Jul 2016 11:35:04 +0000DPS board meets for the last time, as "old" school district is eliminated Rebecca KruthMembers of the Detroit Board of Education have voted to reject a set of state-proposed loans to help bail-out the struggling district. Last week, Governor Snyder signed off on a $617 million package to create a new, debt-free Detroit school system. The two rejected loans are part of the state's bail-out plan and total $385 million. Board president LaMar Lemmons says the interest rates on the loans are too high. "[The board] intends to go to the Securities and Exchange Commission because of the level of abuse in terms of borrowing by irresponsible financiers, who have borrowed at risk rates when they should've been borrowing at much lower rates," Lemmons said. On Monday Snyder said he hadn't yet looked at the details of the board's concerns but intended to move ahead with the state's plan. "The board] has opportunities to use the court system like anyone else, but I'm moving forward with implementing the legislation," Snyder said. Lemmons says board members also took issue with theDetroit school board votes to reject state-proposed loanshttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-school-board-votes-reject-state-proposed-loans
26917 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 28 Jun 2016 01:29:30 +0000Detroit school board votes to reject state-proposed loansThe latest re-invention of public schools in Detroit is underway with the state trying yet again to overhaul the district facing huge financial and academic difficulties. But it’s still too early to declare victory. This new plan out of Lansing is without the support of legislative Democrats, the Detroit delegation and Mayor Mike Duggan. But it does return the Detroit public schools back to the control of a locally elected school board. This is coming after many state appointed emergency managers over seven years have tried but failed to turn around the district. This latest state plan is a taxpayer-funded bailout of the district but, remember, a lot of that debt was racked up while the district was being run by the state. So, now what’s meant to happen is the old district will basically only be in existence to pay off millions and millions of dollars of debt. Using this state money from the bailout, a new Detroit Community Schools district will be created. And, as Governor Snyder saysGetting qualified school board candidates is next big step for Detroit schools overhaulhttp://michiganradio.org/post/getting-qualified-school-board-candidates-next-big-step-detroit-schools-overhaul
26903 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 27 Jun 2016 14:29:37 +0000Getting qualified school board candidates is next big step for Detroit schools overhaulThis Week in Michigan Politics , Michigan Radio’s senior news analyst Jack Lessenberry and Morning Edition host Christina Shockley discuss the first female mayor of Grand Rapids, this week's elections, accusations of racism against Gov. Snyder and Detroit emergency managers, the number of college degrees among Michigan lawmakers.The politics of elections, discrimination, and college degreeshttp://michiganradio.org/post/politics-elections-discrimination-and-college-degrees
23055 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 05 Aug 2015 13:43:56 +0000The politics of elections, discrimination, and college degreesSarah CwiekThe Detroit Public Schools’ elected board has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Governor Rick Snyder. The Title VI complaint — the portion of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which deals with discrimination claims against institutions that receive federal funds — asks the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a number of allegations against the district and its state-appointed officials.Detroit school board alleges state discrimination, retaliationhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-school-board-alleges-state-discrimination-retaliation
23030 as http://michiganradio.orgMon, 03 Aug 2015 21:55:57 +0000Detroit school board alleges state discrimination, retaliationSarah CwiekDetroit’s elected school board will have short-lived authority over some key decisions. A Wayne County judge ruled Wednesday that the district’s emergency financial manager had exceeded his authority on some issues. Judge Annette Berry said Roy Roberts must consult with the school board on school closings, security, and some other issues. Roberts is supposed to share authority with the school board. He oversees finances, while the board supervises academics. But the two are hard to separate, and both sides have brought court cases over how that should work in practice Detroit school board President Lamar Lemmons says the ruling granting board members a partial injunction proves Roberts overstepped his authority. "He’s used the fact that he’s had financial authority to, if you will, bully the staff into cooperating with him,” Lemmons said. “And for all intents and purposes, ignoring the board and its designated superintendent.” The arrangement will be short-lived, though. A newDetroit school board re-gains some powers--temporarilyhttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-school-board-re-gains-some-powers-temporarily
11335 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 21 Feb 2013 00:58:26 +0000Detroit school board re-gains some powers--temporarilyMark BrushMichigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has been arguing that seven of the eleven school board members on the Detroit school board are holding office illegally and he wants them removed. He lost a challenge in court early this week. Chastity Pratt Dawsey reports for the Detroit Free Press that "Wayne Circuit Court Judge John Gillis Jr. denied State Attorney General Bill Schuette’s motion for summary disposition and granted the school board’s motion, effectively allowing the school board to continue to hold office." In a statement released today, the attorney for the school board, George Washington, called the lawsuit bogus: George B. Washington, attorney for the Detroit School Board, said “We are glad that this lawsuit has been exposed as the bogus claim that it always was. Attorney General Schuette and Governor Snider [sic] filed this lawsuit to prevent the largely black and Latino citizens of Detroit from having any say over their own schools. The Attorney General should not appealMichigan AG loses a bid to remove Detroit school board membershttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-ag-loses-bid-remove-detroit-school-board-members
11139 as http://michiganradio.orgThu, 07 Feb 2013 20:22:49 +0000Michigan AG loses a bid to remove Detroit school board membersSarah CwiekMichigan Attorney General Bill Schuette continues his effort to remove some Detroit school board members. A Wayne County judge heard oral arguments Thursday about Schuette’s lawsuit to throw out seven board members elected by district. Schuette says state law only allows so-called “first class” school districts to elect board members that way. He says Detroit hasn’t met that threshold since 2008. School board attorney George Washington insists his clients followed the law "as the legislature wrote it." Washington also noted the lawsuit was only filed in 2012, after Michigan’s emergency manager law was suspended. “They were happy with the way the school board was elected, until they thought they might not have a financial manager," Washington said. "And then they said, ‘Well, we gotta get rid of the board. No matter what the law says, or what we’ve allowed to happen.'"Schuette, Detroit school board clash in courthttp://michiganradio.org/post/schuette-detroit-school-board-clash-court
10716 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 11 Jan 2013 00:20:21 +0000Schuette, Detroit school board clash in courtA Wayne County Circuit judge has ruled that some Detroit schools will remain in a new district for low-performing schools despite a ballot proposal challenging a state law that allowed the move, according to an Associated Press report. The judge told emergency manager Roy Roberts today that the Detroit Board of Education regains academic control of remaining schools in the district pending the November election outcome on Michigans emergency manager law. Until then, state-appointed managers of financially distressed cities and school districts have to operate under the laws predecessor, which gives them only financial oversight. Board members sought to reverse Roberts movement of 15 schools into the Education Achievement Authority, claiming it falls under their academic control. Detroit Public Schools Board President, LaMar Lemmons talks with Michigan Radios Jennifer White about todays hearing and what steps the board will take next.DPS school board regains academic controlhttp://michiganradio.org/post/dps-school-board-regains-academic-control
8672 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 14 Aug 2012 20:10:01 +0000DPS school board regains academic controlSarah CwiekSchool districts with emergency managers have been plunged into uncertainty, now that the states emergency manager law has been suspended. In Detroit, the Michigan Attorney General is suing to make sure the elected school board doesnt take power back there. Detroits elected school board went from having very little power, to no power whatsoever when the state broadened the powers of emergency managers under Public Act 4. Now that the law has been suspended, the board is looking to reclaim at least some of that power. But state Attorney General Bill Schuette is trying to forestall that. Hes gone to Detroits Third Circuit court try and get seven members of the eleven-member board removed. Schuette say the seven were illegally-elected by district, rather than at-large. Detroit has traditionally done that, because it had enough students to qualify as Michigans only first-class school district. But Schuette now maintains that stopped being the case in 2008, and the seven members wereMichigan Attorney General sues to block Detroit school board from resuming powerhttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-attorney-general-sues-block-detroit-school-board-resuming-power
8631 as http://michiganradio.orgFri, 10 Aug 2012 15:22:42 +0000Michigan Attorney General sues to block Detroit school board from resuming powerSarah CwiekThe President of the Detroit Board of Education has resigned his position. Anthony Adams resignation note states I resign my position with deep regret, but doesnt give further details. The note does mention Adams route to school board President as a write-in candidate, and his time as Detroit Public Schools General Counsel from 2002-2005. Emergency Manager Roy Roberts issued a statement praising Adams professionalism, and his involvement in creating and launching the districts charter school initiative. Board Vice-President Tyrone Winfrey will take over as President. Detroits school board is essentially powerless nowRoberts assumed all powers of the Board when he became emergency manager. Nonetheless, the Board was allocated more than $318,000 as a line item in the districts budget.Detroit school board President resignshttp://michiganradio.org/post/detroit-school-board-president-resigns
3598 as http://michiganradio.orgWed, 03 Aug 2011 19:27:35 +0000Detroit school board President resignsSarah CwiekThe Detroit School Board has approved a settlement that could end a long-running lawsuit with the district’s Emergency Financial Manager, Robert Bobb. The Board voted ten-to-one in favor of a settlement that would give them control over the district’s academics. A Wayne County Circuit Judge ruled last year that Bobb had overstepped his authority by setting academic standards without consulting the Board. School Board attorney George Washington says the proposal reflects the judge’s ruling that the Board has academic authority. “Because as the Judge said, that’s their role. The Emergency financial manager is just that, a financial manager. Not an academic czar.” Bobb must still approve the settlement, and it’s unclear whether he will. A Bobb spokesman says the Board’s proposal contained some language the two sides didn’t negotiate. Update: Steve Wasko , a spokesman for Robert Bobb , says of the Board-approved settlement proposal: "If it's the final word, it's not something we can agreePossible settlement in Detroit schools lawsuithttp://michiganradio.org/post/possible-settlement-detroit-schools-lawsuit
997 as http://michiganradio.orgTue, 25 Jan 2011 18:49:10 +0000Possible settlement in Detroit schools lawsuit